Coe insisted that he was “happy” members of the International Olympic Committee and National Olympic Committees were in London this week despite the city having endured widespread disorder. The trouble led to England’s friendly match against the Netherlands on Wednesday at Wembley Stadium being called off and a test event for beach volleyball had to be scheduled earlier than planned to avoid possible disruption later in the evening.
“The images that have been beamed around the world have been disfiguring, and as a Londoner I probably find that as perplexing as the next person,” Coe told BBC Sport. “That's not the London I recognise. I am confident that we will have contingency plans in place and be prepared for all eventualities in a year's time. But the 205 National Olympic Committees have effectively seen a city, test events and world championships all going ahead under pretty much normal circumstances.”
Coe added: “Security is always a big issue. There's not been an Olympic Games since 1972 and in my lifetime of watching an Olympics, which has not been underpinned by security. I am confident that we will have contingency plans in place and be prepared for all eventualities in a year's time – treat it in a way as a test.”
More than half of those detailed by police following the rioting in London are under the age of 20, and Coe underlined the importance of engaging in young people ahead of the Games. “We must not run away with the idea that what we saw, particularly amongst some young people this week, is totemic of what this country is about – it isn't,” he continued.
“What I would say is that the Olympic Games has given opportunity to young people in very challenged circumstances,” he said. “I've spent a lot of time in those boroughs. We have 24,000 schools which one way or another are tied into our Olympic education programs and these can help young people.”
